A Co Monaghan childhood provider says waiting lists and a lack of funding are some of the biggest challenges facing the sector. Clare O'Hanlon Geary is the Manager of Knockatallon Community Childcare, a community led pre-school and full day care service. When it was first founded back in 2000, the facility catered for 8 children and two members of staff.
Now in 2025, Clare says the service has "developed greatly" with a total of 36 early years children currently enrolled, 24 children for the after-schools service and 12 members of staff. Clare says the biggest challenge is that the facility has now "ran out of room" due to demand and currently has no additional spaces available. With applications already lodged for funding and a new facility, Clare feels more could be done to support childcare services, particularly in rural communities:
